Resources

Sustainable development

Notwithstanding an increased awareness about the unsustainability of our current economic model, radical change in the way we move, consume and build does not seem to be any nearer. The option of gently nudging people towards adopting more virtuous and sustainable lifestyles does not seem to be good enough. Might it be time to introduce economic “sticks” in the form for example of environmental taxes, which reflect the true cost of our self-inflicted environmental damage? … Read more »

Cultural heritage

Every time we disregard our roots and forget where we’re coming from, we are impoverished. Our identity is in danger and we risk falling prey to new forms of ideological colonization. At the same time, an over-emphasis on roots, memory and identity can lead us to the kind of nostalgic ideologies which exclude the “other” and leave us stuck in the past.

With Fr Nicholas Doublet, lecturer in Church history at the University of Malta and Dr Karsten Xuereb, researcher in cultural relations with a focus on the Mediterranean, we speak about Malta’s calling to be a “laboratory of organic development” (Pope Francis)… Read more »

Displacement

Not a day goes by without reading an article on migration or overhearing a remark about the impact of migrants on Maltese society. The Pope himself, when visiting Malta, made it a point to meet migrants at the Ħal Far Peace Lab to express his solidarity and closeness to people on the move.

But who exactly is a migrant? Has the number of people leaving their home country increased and do they find welcoming communities? … Read more »

rethink.mt

To follow up on Pope Francis’ visit to Malta, the Archdiocese of Malta is launching a project titled: rethink.mt: Rethink culture.

rethink.mt is a space for respectful dialogue on complex issues shaping Maltese culture. Supported by the Vicariate for Evangelisation and hosted by Justice & Peace –Malta, discussions will take place with various people active in Maltese society about the kind of culture we are hoping to build together… Read more »

Catholic Social Teaching: a dialogue

Aħseb u Ara is a podcast hosted by the Malta Catholic Youth Network and the Justice and Peace Commission. This project is the result of a collaboration that began in 2021 and led to the Youth Engagement Study research, which was carried out in the same year.

The aim of these podcasts was to discuss themes from the Social Teaching of the Church… Read more »

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labour). He shone a light on the injustice and exploitation of workers by the rich during the Industrial Revolution. He advocated for workers to join forces and fight against inhuman conditions. Since then, Church teaching has upheld the dignity of work and participation. Read more »

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Care for creation

“If we approach nature and the environment without…openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously.” (Laudato Si 11) Read more »

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Lent Resource Pack – ‘Yahad’

In Yahad, the Justice and Peace Commission reflects on the wounds of our society, before proposing a number of tools from Catholic Social Teaching which can help us build a more just and reconciled society.

In order to bring this reflection to different groups of people, a number of resources based on ‘Yahad’ are being prepared. In Lent, the Commission is publishing a Resource Pack with the aim of helping us reflect on the Scripture Readings which are proposed by the Church during this liturgical season, linked to the ‘Yahad’ reflection in our current social context… Read more »